My dog is limping and shivering. Does he need a vet or just rest?

Unfortunately I would suggest nothing else than complete rest and possibly cold packs applied for 10-15 minutes to decrease inflammation if present. A clinical examination and possibly further investigations would be required to determine more specifically the cause of it. Starve him for eight hours before vet’s check up in case x rays under sedation will be required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to post more questions if needed either on the forum or by requesting a consultation.

Restrict activity for the next 24 hours. Monitor for lethargy, swelling, bruising or increasing lameness. If the lameness persists beyond 24 hours, have her physically examined by your veterinarian. X-rays may be indicated after the exam.

I personally believe it is always necessary to do an x-ray. Unfortunately, they are expensive but they are the best way to determine what is causing the pain in his leg. X-rays can help to rule out fractures, dysplasia, or soft tissue injury. A cruciate ligament injury is also a possibility, so your veterinarian may want to perform an orthopedic test to see if there is any laxity in the knee. There is no guarantee the problem will heal with rest and prolonging an accurate diagnosis may just make the problem worse.

Poor Shadow! Since it sounds like the limping has been happening on and off for a while now, yes - I would definitely recommend taking him to the vet to have this checked. Your vet can do a thorough orthopedic exam to help determine what is causing the limp, and may also take x-rays if needed to help diagnose the problem. Shadow may need pain medication or an anti-inflammatory to be used when he limps, or he could even need surgery to correct the problem depending on what is found.

It sounds like Simba was painful if he was favoring one leg. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. So if he is limping, he is in pain. Shaking is another sign of pain. The question is how much pain and why? Is it a minor, short-lived pain like when you stub your toe? A sprain? Or did he break a bone? The only way to know is to see an emergency vet and take some x-rays. That being said, in most of these cases, they shake it off and are walking normally within a few hours. If he seems OK to you, it is completely reasonable to let him sleep tonight and if he is not himself by morning, then see the vet first thing. If he is worrying you or any other signs arise, you always have the option of heading to the emergency vet tonight. Under no circumstances do I recommend any human pain medication - most are unsafe in dogs. However, if you want to do something for pain, ice can be a tremendous help. Applying an ice pack (wrapped in a thin kitchen towel or paper towel) to the leg for 5 minutes every 4-8 hours is great for inflammation and pain. Best wishes to you and Uno!

It sounds like he needs to be examined by a vet to determine the cause. He could have an infection (Lyme disease, etc.), immune mediated polyarthritis, panosteitis , etc. Your vet can run lab-work and take an x-ray to help diagnose. You could try to find a mobile vet to come to your house or call your vet and see if he/she could prescribe a sedative to make the visit easier. You definitely want to make the experience positive to try and change his aggressive behavior. He will need medical care throughout his life and it makes it very difficult for both the dog and vet. Hope he feels better soon and the visit goes smoothly!